Rome, the "social no" in the square: banners of Meloni, Nordio, and Trump on fire

Movements and citizens have returned to the square today in Rome to express their "social no" to the constitutional referendum on justice on March 22 and 23, demanding the resignation of the government but also to say stop to the war.

The demonstration, promoted by Power to the People, has seen the participation of various groups, from student collectives (such as Osa and Change Course) to movements for Palestine including the Global Movement to Gaza, as well as housing struggle movements, social centers, and Usb.

Among the slogans chanted by the protesters who gathered at Republic Square were "vote no, Giorgia Meloni go away" as well as "Hands off Iran" and "Hands off socialist Cuba" and also "Crosetto go back to Dubai".

Leading the march was the banner "No to the referendum, no to war, no to the freedom-restricting government" signed by the "committee for the social no".

Following was the banner of Power to the People reading "We say no to the worst Italy, no to war, no to the Meloni government".

Some protesters displayed posters featuring a photo of Prime Minister Meloni shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as photos of Bossi, Salvini, and Santanchè with the caption "we say no to the worst Italy".

Among the flags, in addition to those of Power to the People, many from Palestine as well as those from Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran and the Peace flag.

The march has just departed from Republic Square heading to San Giovanni Square.

During the march, two posters featuring Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were burned with smoke bombs, one alongside Minister Nordio. The first image depicted the premier holding the Justice Minister on a leash and with a muzzle. Above it was the text: «No to your referendum». The second photograph showed the handshake between Meloni and Netanyahu with the caption: «No to your genocide, 75,000 civilians killed, 2 million displaced».

At the beginning of Via Cavour, other protesters also burned two posters featuring the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and an image of a U.S. flag. At the same time, the young people displayed a banner reading «Against imperialist aggression, defend socialist Cuba».

In the evening, the University Self-Organized Collective commented on the many reactions to the act of burning the photos of institutional representatives.

«What a scandal over a piece of paper burned! Yet we are not ashamed. Even if they want us to believe that expressing dissent goes against democracy, it is still just a sheet of paper».

«We are not the violent ones in this country. Violent is the one who wants to rewrite the Constitution in favor of their own majority - they continue - Violent is the one who continues to support those who incite wars around the world, the consequences of which fall on the lives of the majority of people».

Finally, they address «a message» to the leader of the 5 Stars, Giuseppe Conte, and to «the entire opposition»: «No more prostrating at the feet of the government - they say - the problems of the country are not those of young people who want a better world».